S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Jacob and Esau were the sons of Isaac and Rebekah and the first twins mentioned in the Bible. Even before they were born, they were struggling together in the womb of their mother. Their prenatal s...

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July 01 2013 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What was the story of Jacob and Esau?

One day, Esau came home very tired from a long day of hunting. He smelled the good food Jacob was cooking and said, 'I'm starving! Give me some of that red stew!' Jacob said, 'I will, but first promise me that I can have your inheritance.' Esau said, 'I don't care about my inheritance! You can have it. I want to eat.' Do you think that was a wise thing for Esau to do? No, it wasn't. Esau gave away something very precious, just for a bowl of stew.

When Isaac was ancient, it was time to bless his oldest son. But Rebekah helped Jacob, the younger son, to get the blessing. When Esau found out, he was furious, and he planned to kill his twin brother. Isaac and Rebekah wanted to protect Jacob, so they told him, 'Go and stay with your mother's brother, Laban, until Esau calms down.' Jacob listened to his parents' advice and ran for his life.

What do we learn from the story of Jacob and Esau?

This situation shows us that we should do everything we can to solve problems with others in the congregation. If we do not, the peace and unity of the congregation will be damaged. Jacob had not done anything wrong. He did not have to tell Esau that he was sorry. It was Esau who did not value his right as firstborn and who had sold it to Jacob for just one meal. But Jacob still did everything he could to have peace with him. (Genesis 25:31-34; Hebrews 12:16) 

Jacob did not usurp Esau's inheritance. Because even before the boys were born, God had said, 'The older would serve the younger.' (Genesis 25:23)

God favoured Jacob because he demonstrated deep appreciation for sacred things. (Heb 12:16, 17) 

Esau's lack of appreciation for spiritual things, coupled with his strong tendency toward satisfying fleshly desires, made Esau unfit to be in the direct line of the promised Seed.

Conclusion:

Why did God love Jacob and, later, the descendants of Jacob, the Israelites? It was because Jacob was God-fearing, and he respected his God-fearing parents. Esau, on the other hand, was a selfish person, lacking fear of God. Also, he lacked respect for his parents, who had the God-given, natural right to expect his obedience. 

Is what the Bible says about Esau relevant to Christians today? 

Yes, it is. The apostle Paul cautioned fellow believers to be careful that "There may be no fornicator nor anyone not appreciating sacred things, like Esau, who in exchange for one meal gave away his rights as firstborn." (Heb. 12:16) 

Jacob's example shows how much effort we should make to keep peace with our Christian brothers and sisters. It also shows that when we ask God to help us do this, he answers our prayers.

That warning still applies to Christians. We must maintain our appreciation for sacred things so that we will not be overpowered by fleshly desires and lose our spiritual inheritance.

4 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report